It’s not unusual to have to enlist the services of a boarding kennel for your dog. Whether you are going on vacation or just spending a weekend away, you want to be sure that your dog is in good hands. Knowing that your dog is well taken care of will allow you to relax and enjoy yourself.
When choosing a boarding kennel, whether it’s a luxury pet resort or a standard kennel, never pick one that you haven’t seen firsthand. You won’t know for certain how well your pet will be taken care of unless you see the facility for yourself. Here are some things to look for.
1. Cleanliness
No boarding kennel is 100 percent clean around the clock. Dogs eat, drink and have accidents on occasion. While you can’t expect a boarding kennel to be spotless, you can expect it to be sanitary. Pay attention to the state of the current boarders and how clean the facility smells. These are both good indications of how alert the staff is to facility maintenance.
2. Temperature
No matter where you live, temperatures can sore during certain times of the year. Pay attention to the temperature inside of the facility. If it’s too hot, your dog may have trouble breathing. If it’s too cold, your dog may be uncomfortable.
Ask the staff about precautions that are taken during extremes in outside temperatures. 20 dogs were found dead in a boarding facility in Arizona after the air conditioning went out. Read more about the incident on CNN. Things like this should not occur at any boarding kennel.
3. Staffing
Some boarding kennels maintain a staff around the clock, and some boarding kennels only have workers in the building during certain hours of the day. It’s up to you to decide which you are more comfortable with. Keep in mind, however, that your dog will typically be sleeping at night and not care whether or not there are humans in the building.
4. Requirements
We talked with LV Dog Resort about the requirements needed to run a boarding business, and they said, “Do not trust a boarding facility that does not require that its charges are current on vaccinations. Good boarding kennels also require proof of a current parasite screen and monthly flea preventive. This is not only for the protection of your dog, but it is for the protection of every dog and worker in the building.”
5. Bedding
While it may be true that your dog chooses to sleep on the hard floor at home, it does have access to soft bed and blankets. The same should be true when your dog stays at the boarding kennel. Find out the type of bedding your dog will be given while you are away. Be sure to ask if extra bedding is provided should your senior or ailing dog require it.
6. Food and Medication
Ask how often your dog will be fed. If your dog requires medication, be sure that the staff is knowledgeable in how to administer it. Know whether or not the facility provides food or, if you prefer, you are permitted to bring your dog’s own food.
7. Illness and Injury
Even with the best staff, accidents happen at boarding kennels from time to time. No matter how healthy your dog appears, it may get sick while you are away. Find out how veterinary services are handled. Ask whether the boarding facility will transport your pet to the veterinarian or if they must seek your permission first. If you will be unreachable, leave the number of a person who can always be contacted.
8. Other Services
Many dog boarding kennels offer extra services. If you want your dog groomed or bathed before you pick it up, ask if this is offered. If you want your dog to be able to play outside, ask if each dog is given play time. Don’t be afraid to ask for the little extras that you want.
Not all boarding kennels are the same. Some kennels offer fantastic services and some do not. You won’t know which you are choosing if you don’t look at each one you are considering with your own eyes.
